underemployed
|un/der/em/ployed|
B2
/ˌʌndərɪmˈplɔɪd/
(underemploy)
not fully utilized
Etymology
Etymology Information
'underemployed' originates from the prefix 'under-' meaning 'below' or 'not enough' and the word 'employ' from Old French 'emploier', meaning 'to use or apply'.
Historical Evolution
'employ' changed from the Old French word 'emploier' and eventually became the modern English word 'employ'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, 'employ' meant 'to use or apply', but over time it evolved to mean 'to hire or provide work for'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
working in a job that does not fully utilize one's skills or abilities, or working fewer hours than desired.
Many college graduates find themselves underemployed in jobs that don't require a degree.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:41